Marokite is an uncommon manganese oxide mineral primarily known from the Tachgagalt mine in Morocco. It typically occurs as dark, submetallic tabular crystals embedded within manganese-rich host rocks alongside other manganese minerals.
Is this marokite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch marokite with a known reference. Marokite sits at Mohs 6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Marokite leaves a reddish brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Marokite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Marokite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Marokite leaves reddish brown, Braunite leaves black; luster reads adamantine on Marokite and submetallic on Braunite.
How to tell apart: Marokite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 5-5.5); streak differs, so Marokite leaves reddish brown, Hausmannite leaves dark reddish brown; luster reads adamantine on Marokite and submetallic on Hausmannite.
Often found alongside marokite
Minerals reported to co-occur with marokite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMn₂O₄
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 4.87 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Reddish Brown
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {100}; Good On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Manganese Deposits in Hydrothermal Veins
Where rockhounds find marokite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tachgagalt mine, Morocco
Field-hunting tip
Look in manganese deposits in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where marokite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, braunite, hetaerolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify marokite?+
Where is marokite found?+
What rocks look like marokite?+
What minerals are found with marokite?+
What kind of rock does marokite form in?+
What is marokite used for?+
Find marokite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
